So the French say NON! to the EU constitution

[YogsVR4]

I wasn't surprised. The folks over there are starting to see Chirac for the self serving slimeball he is and thats translated into a rejection of his pet project. I think they would be better off having it ratified but it makes no difference to me. Maybe they can actually get around to addressing their economic dolldrums and their long running 10% unemployment.

[TexasF355F1]

I heard a french woman on U.S. talk radio about a year ago, conservative radio nonetheless, saying how little repect Chirac actually has in France. He's supposedly not well like. Things are going nuts over there. My friend is about to leave for his internship in Paris and I have my concerns about problems he could run into. He seemed to fit into Germany just fine though, so he should be okay.

[clawhammer]

A lot of my liberal friends seem to think that someday there will be a united Europe, united like the US, but I just keep telling them that there won't be one. Today is just another proof of that.

[Muscletang]

The only way you'll see Europe unite is if another Hitler takes it all over again.

[Franko914]

Chirac represents many of what the French people have always wanted: maintain their French identity, independent, autonomous, non-aligned, arrogant, aloof, unless of course they are invaded and need help.

Saying "Non" to the EU constitution isn't bad, actually, quite smart for France at the moment -- they have enough issues with their economy to be bothered with supporting even worse economies of other EU nations.

You could easily hate the French but they sure are stubborn and predictable. Kinda reminds you of...???

[fredjacksonsan]

The French.

good point, Franko, they ARE stubborn and predictable.

IMO it would be a shame for all the strong cultures of Europe to be melded into a homogenous society. I don't know if the EU will hasten that or not.

[AlmostStock]

Isn't the Euro steadily gaining on the dollar? Wouldn't a yes vote have hastened that gain?

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by AlmostStock

Isn't the Euro steadily gaining on the dollar? Wouldn't a yes vote have hastened that gain?

The Euro passed the dollar some time back but I think it was overinflated and is moving toward a more sustainable level (just over the dollar). By killing the EU constitution, the French will slow down any movement from the Dollar to the Euro on the open market. Unless there is a single country/economy backing up a currency, it won't be as attractive to investors. I'm not saying its bad, but for long term stability its better to stay with a single government backed currency. Which is why the Dollar will still be the currency of choice for the foreseeable future.

[twospirits]

I swear that I heard today that the Dutch also did not agree to the EU Constituion.

TS out

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by twospirits

I swear that I heard today that the Dutch also did not agree to the EU Constituion.

TS out

Yes, but that outcome has been predicted for months.
The majority of citizens wished to protect their liberal national policies which include, among other things, legalized marijuana use and hookers, in some areas. The fear is that an EU constitution may force a ban on such policies.

Frankly, the EU can function just fine on their old constitution.

[Franko914]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Yes, but that outcome has been predicted for months.
The majority of citizens wished to protect their liberal national policies which include, among other things, legalized marijuana use and hookers, in some areas. The fear is that an EU constitution may force a ban on such policies.
<snip>

Including euthanizing the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and the terminally ill. They make liberals here look like saints.